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The Mission




Rocket: Delta 2 (7925H)
Payload: MESSENGER
Date: August 3, 2004
Time: 0615:56 GMT (2:15:56 a.m. EDT)
Site: SLC-17B, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Satellite feed: AMC 6, Transponder 5, C-band

Mission preview story

Launch events timeline

Daily launch windows

Ground track map



The Payload




NASA's MESSENGER probe will become the first reconnaissance spacecraft to orbit our solar system's innermost planet -- Mercury.

Mercury fast facts

MESSENGER instruments and systems

Overview of science objectives



The Launcher




Boeing's workhorse Delta 2 rocket has flown more than 100 times, launching military, scientific and commercial satellites.

Delta 2 fact sheet

Archived Delta coverage



The Venue




Cape Canaveral's Launch Complex 17 is the East Coast home of Delta 2.

Learn more



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MESSENGER preview
Mission officials and scientists preview the flight of NASA's MESSENGER space probe to orbit the planet Mercury during this news conference. (41min 36sec file)
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BY JUSTIN RAY

Follow the countdown and launch of the Boeing Delta 2-Heavy rocket with NASA's MESSENGER probe that will orbit Mercury. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

Read our earlier status center coverage.